Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments are eternal gospel principles
that are necessary for our exaltation. The Lord revealed them
to Moses in ancient times (see Exodus 20:1–17), and He has
restated them in latter-day revelations (see D&C 42:18–29;
59:5–13; 63:61–62). The Ten Commandments are a vital part
of the gospel. Obedience to these commandments paves the
way for obedience to other gospel principles.
The following review of the Ten Commandments
includes brief explanations of how they continue to apply in
our lives today:
1. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus
20:3). We should do “all things with an eye single to
the glory of God” (D&C 82:19). We should love and
serve the Lord with all our heart, might, mind, and
strength (see Deuteronomy 6:5; D&C 59:5).
2. “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image”
(Exodus 20:4). In this commandment, the Lord condemns
the worship of idols. Idolatry may take many
forms. Some people do not bow before graven images or
statues but instead replace the living God with other
idols, such as money, material possessions, ideas, or
prestige. In their lives, “their treasure is their god”—a
god that “shall perish with them” (2 Nephi 9:30).
3. “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in
vain” (Exodus 20:7). For an explanation of this commandment,
see “Profanity,” pages 128–29.
4. “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus
20:8). For an explanation of this commandment, see
“Sabbath,” pages 145–47.
5. “Honour thy father and thy mother” (Exodus 20:12).
This is a commandment that remains binding even
when we are grown. We should always find ways to
honor our parents.
6. “Thou shalt not kill” (Exodus 20:13). For an explanation
of how this commandment applies to those who
are required to go to war, see “War,” pages 183–84.
7. “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). In a
latter-day revelation, the Lord condemned not only
adultery, but “anything like unto it” (D&C 59:6).
Fornication, homosexuality, and other sexual sins are
violations of the seventh commandment. For additional
explanation, see “Chastity,” pages 29–33.
8. “Thou shalt not steal” (Exodus 20:15). Stealing is a
form of dishonesty. For an explanation of honesty, see
page 84.
9. “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour”
(Exodus 20:16). Bearing false witness is another
form of dishonesty. For an explanation of honesty, see
page 84.
10. “Thou shalt not covet” (Exodus 20:17). Coveting, or
envying something that belongs to another, is damaging
to the soul. It can consume our thoughts and plague
us with constant unhappiness and dissatisfaction. It
often leads to other sins and to financial indebtedness.
Although most of the Ten Commandments list things
we should not do, they also represent things we should do. The
Savior summarized the Ten Commandments in two principles—
love for the Lord and love for our fellow men:
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and
with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
“This is the first and great commandment.
“And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour
as thyself” (Matthew 22:37–39).
Additional references: Mosiah 12:33–36; 13:11–24
See also Agency; Chastity; Honesty; Obedience; Profanity; Reverence;
Sabbath; War; Worship